Working Lunch: Climb to the top of Harrods for a view from Chai Wu, its contemporary Chinese restaurant November 15, 2016 Chai Wu Harrods, Knightsbridge WHAT? A surprisingly intimate Chinese restaurant in Harrods, with a crowd-pleasing, wide-ranging menu. WHERE? On the fifth floor, next to the menswear department. And if the thought of eating quite literally next to a room full of suits in one of the world’s busiest department stores puts you off, give it [...]
Healthy “grab and go” food chain set to open its 30th London location as millennials look for nutritious lunches November 15, 2016 Feel-good food chain Abokado is projected to turn over £17m following a current turnover of £14m and the opening of its 30th site in London set for early next year. The healthy, internationally inspired food company has thrived in the "grab and go" sector, providing busy Londoners something fresh for breakfast and lunch. The business, which aims to stock its [...]
Our resident chef Mark Hix on the hidden charms of the Romanesco cauliflower November 15, 2016 The first time I set eyes on Romanesco I thought it was some weird hybrid broccoli-cauliflower that had landed from another planet. Later in life I discovered it was an ancient member of the cauliflower familly, also known as Roman cauliflower, and has been grown since the 16th century. Over the years I’ve gradually learned [...]
Former chair of Northern Foods says consumers will see food prices rise “substantially” with inflation November 15, 2016 This is one of the most difficult times for the food industry in decades, according to Lord Christopher Haskins, former chair of Northern Foods. Haskins, who was the chairman from 1980 to 2002, said consumers will see food prices go up “substantially” in an interview this morning on BBC Today. With wages expected to stay [...]
Why it’s time to stop drinking prosecco November 10, 2016 Three years ago, when I was just starting out with this column, I boldly predicted the rise of prosecco in the hearts of the British quaffing classes. And oh how it has turned out to be true. Clever marketing, combined with the British love of cheap fizz, has propelled prosecco relentlessly up the wine charts. [...]
Restaurateur Mark Hix reminisces with artist Gavin Turk about the glory days of the YBAs ahead of his upcoming show at Damien Hirst’s Newport Street Gallery November 10, 2016 I’ve converted a couple of veggie artists over the years, tempting them with tasty cuts of rare beef – Tim Noble and Mat Collishaw spring to mind – but I suspect Gavin Turk is a lost cause. Gavin, one of the original YBAs, has been veggie for over five years and went full-vegan last year; [...]
Eight of the best winter gins: Remember, gin isn’t just for summer, it’s for Christmas, too November 10, 2016 At this time of year, we mistakenly relegate gin to the back of the drinks cabinet. The ubiquitous gin and tonic is a summertime staple, but what can you do to turn it evergreen? Gin, like that other popular translucent tipple vodka, is traditionally distilled in cold countries, after all, and can be made from [...]
Lord Stuart Rose interview: Former M&S boss opens up on the ill-fated Stronger In campaign and his 10,000 bottles of wine November 9, 2016 Lord Rose of Monewden knows how to do things in style. In the space of a 45-year business career he managed to navigate his way through more boards, bids, bust-ups and blow-ups than seems possible in a single lifetime, collecting a knighthood, then a peerage and a comfortable fortune on the way. More to the [...]
Gordon Ramsay interview: Michelin stars, overtaking the French and why his new restaurant, Le Pressoir d’Argent, is something special November 9, 2016 “If I’d tried to open this restaurant 15 years ago, I’d have been shot, hung upside-down and had my bollocks put in that thing over there, the pressoir d’testicle.” Finally, I thought. So measured – serene even – was the Gordon Ramsay sitting opposite me, I’d started to wonder if his famously filthy lyricism had [...]
My inspiration: Michelin-starred chef Tom Kitchin on his favourite cookbook, Memories of Gascony by Pierre Koffmann November 9, 2016 When I was a young apprentice cook, I was working at the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland. It was very traditional and I was very raw and working in a rough kitchen. We used to talk about London like it was a distant land, the other end of the world, but there was a book out [...]